Top 5 Most Eco-Friendly Cities in the World

Residents of this Canadian city have ambitious goals to be the “greenest” city on the planet by 2020. Today, Vancouver is the leader in the use of hydropower – about 90 % of the energy consumed by the city is water. Also, more and more types of energy such as wind, solar, and wave energy are being used in the city. Thanks to special public transport, cycle paths, landscaping programs, and so on, Vancouver has the lowest rates of emissions per capita among all major cities in the world.

Among all the largest cities in the US, San Francisco is the most environmentally friendly city. High levels of air purity, ideal organization of waste disposal, and investments in environmentally friendly vehicles especially help the city stand out among all other megacities in the US.

This metropolis recycles 77% of its waste. 20% of its territory is occupied by vegetation. San Francisco is considered the capital of electric vehicles in the United States. There are more than 160 electric filling stations here.

Due to the fact that two thirds of the municipality of Oslo is protected forests, ponds, and agricultural land, it is not surprising that this city is one of the cleanest cities in Europe. For example, the city has “smart” lighting, which adjusts the intensity of light at night, depending on the number of vehicles on the roads and weather conditions. Biomethane, derived from waste, is used to operate public transport.

Moreover, by 2030, Oslo plans to reduce emissions of harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere by 50%. Norway plans to become a zero-carbon country by 2050. The heating system in the city uses 80% of renewable energy, mainly derived from recycled waste.

The American magazine Reader’s Digest called Curitiba the “Best Place to Live in Brazil.” All sources of pollution were removed from the city. More than 1.5 million trees were planted along the streets and 28 new parks and squares were designed. 90% of city residents daily recycle two thirds of their waste.

The capital of Denmark is also one of the “greenest” cities in the world. Here, you can join 1.2 million people who regularly go to work on bicycles. The city has all the conditions for cyclists: about 350 kilometers of bike paths. In addition, Copenhagen is the largest consumer of wind energy. Approximately 19% of the country’s electricity is produced by the wind. Copenhagen plans to become the world’s first capital with a zero carbon balance by 2025.